Why You Should Gift Yourself Flowers
They’re not just for others
I did not grow up with pets. As such, I never experienced the warm welcome of another species upon returning home from school, work, or the airport. I didn’t know what I was missing, so it did not bother me. Nevertheless, hearing from countless friends about the timeless joy of being greeted by other living beings, especially dogs, I knew it must feel good returning home to an alternative source of life energy.
From paw-pets to petalled-pets
Few items are as universally revered and multi-purposed throughout history for their aesthetic beauty and olfactory sensation. Many are a proven source of enhanced health and well-being dating back millennia. Edible ones are a stylish garnish. Some have even been used as currency. They symbolize hospitality, generosity, and opulence. We feel most alive when we are in touch with other living beings. It is human nature in its most enduring primitive state. It doesn’t matter if that living being is a dog, a lover, or mother nature herself.
Flowers are nature’s most honest expression of mood and seasons — seasons of the year and seasons of life. They tell stories of culture, tradition, geography, and the passage of time. Would the concept of hanami (Japanese cherry blossom viewing) exist if the blooms weren’t so fleeting? Each locus on the color wheel has a floral representative. Each offers a glimpse into the specific where and when of an occasion.
In Praise of Flowers
Is any tangible object more depicted across the history of visual arts? In contemporary times, perhaps aside from selfies, babies, seascapes, pets, and sunsets, is there anything more photographed? Flowers, as an art medium itself, have deep roots. Ikebana, the Japanese art of flower arrangement, is so much more than randomly placing flowers in a vase and hoping they look in harmony together. At once, it promotes the appreciation of imperfections, empty space, mindfulness, and natural beauty. While flowers are often the primary subject, they also serve as peripheral adornment across many art schools, historical periods — even religion.
You can learn a lot about a person by the flowers (or lack thereof) in their home — and far beyond just their favorite color(s). We as humans possess a unique relationship with flowers in a similar way we do with dogs. Both require water and exposure to the external elements. We even talk to them and tag emotions to them. “Sad” flowers are genuinely upsetting. Some “breeds” are higher maintenance than others and require more care. Orchids, I am talking to you. However, unlike dogs, you don’t need to take them to the groomer — just a good pair of shears and a vessel of water does the trick.
Treat yourself
Although flowers are such a simple pleasure, I suspect it is relatively uncommon for straight men to dedicate time thoughtfully honoring them in writing. There is a stigma of femininity related to flowers, at least on the receiving end of them. Jeff Leatham is no less a genius than Q-Tip, Massimo Bottura, or Lionel Messi. We gift flowers to loved ones all the time, so why does it feel taboo for straight men to openly appreciate them? In fact, I firmly believe, regardless of gender or sexuality, that buying flowers for yourself is a powerful yet modest expression of self-love. They brighten other people’s days, so why not give them permission to add vibrance to your own? I feel a sense of confident masculinity with a fresh bouquet of Snapdragons, Calla Lillies, or Peonies in hand. I’m certainly not the only one.
